Winter Roads and Hazardous Loads: Keep Your Family and Cape Cod Safe on Your Winter Road Adventures.
Winter road trips can be tough on your car and even tougher on the environment if hazardous materials aren’t handled properly. Whether you’re chasing snowflakes or sunshine, it’s crucial to know what to do with the fluids and oils that keep your car running smoothly. Improperly stored chemicals like antifreeze or motor oil can leak, react, or worse in Cape Cod’s unpredictable weather. Yikes! Don’t let your winter prep end at snow tires—your car and Cape Cod’s environment deserve a little extra TLC.
Here’s how to keep your family safe and our waters clean, from the garage to the road and beyond.
Antifreeze: Friend to Engines, Not to the Environment
Antifreeze keeps your car’s engine humming along in freezing temperatures, but its toxic nature means it must be handled with care.
What to do:
- Store antifreeze in its original, tightly sealed container inside a sturdy plastic bin to prevent leaks.
- Keep it above potential flood levels but below eye level for easy access.
- Never pour antifreeze outside, down the drain, or into storm sewers—it’s dangerous to people, pets, and wildlife.
Missed a hazardous waste collection? Many Cape Cod transfer stations accept antifreeze year-round. Call ahead to confirm.
Automotive Fluids: Winter-Ready Storage Tips
From brake fluid to power steering fluid, automotive fluids are essential for keeping your car in peak condition. However, these liquids can become dangerous if not stored properly—especially during Cape Cod’s unpredictable winter storms.
Safety tips:
- Use flame-retardant containers to store fluids securely.
- Place containers in plastic bins on shelves above flood-prone areas.
- Keep fluids away from heat sources or open flames and out of reach of kids and pets.
Motor Oil: Recycle It Right
Used motor oil can contain harmful contaminants, making proper disposal a must. The good news? Cape Cod makes it easy to recycle!
What to know:
- Store motor oil in a sealed, labeled container until you can recycle it.
- Most town recycling centers on Cape Cod accept motor oil year-round—check with your local facility for details.
- Don’t mix motor oil with other fluids, like antifreeze or transmission fluid.
Stay Storm-Ready This Winter
Cape Cod winters bring extreme weather, and your garage or storage space needs to be prepared:
- Take stock of where your car fluids are stored, ensuring everything is in sturdy, leak-proof containers.
- Keep items secure and elevated to avoid storm-related spills or damage.
- Make it a habit to inspect containers regularly for cracks or leaks.
Disposal Made Easy
Not sure what to do with used antifreeze, motor oil, or other automotive fluids? Visit LoveYourLocalWater.org for resources, disposal locations, and tips to keep your car and Cape Cod safe this winter.
